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8-Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, August 30, 1989 Ministry provides jobs for young people Five youth employment programs programs administered by the Ministry of Natural Resources helped approximately approximately 4,000 young people learn more about their natural environment environment this summer. Most of the young workers are nearing the end of projects to clean up river banks, collect data on wetlands, improve wildlife habitat, develop hiking and interpretive trails, rehabilitate fish habitat and a host of other ecology- related tasks. "These programs increase young people's awareness of conservation issues and the importance of resource management," Natural Resources Minister Lyn McLeod said. "At the ^'ame time, the workers' efforts provide valuable assistance to the ministry." The most recently launched program program is the Environmental Youth Corps, in which the allocation of funds is shared among five provincial provincial ministries, with the Ministry of Natural Resources responsible for 70 per cent of this year's $11 million budget. "So far, the Ministry of Natural Resources has allocated funds to provide over 2,200 jobs in more than 500 Environmental Youth Corps projects across the province," Mrs. McLeod said. In one project, 13 youths from the Pic/Heron Bay Indian Band are clearing debris and fallen logs from the shorelines, fish spawning areas and canoe routes of the Black River, located on the north shore of Lake Superior near the Town of Marathon. . In another, 12 youths are helping upgrade the interpretive programs at Presqu'île Provincial Park east of Cobourg. The youths are improving improving interpretive trails to allow handicapped access and are collecting collecting data on the park's wildlife and plants. The other youth programs in which the Ministry of Natural Resources is involved are Experience Experience '89, Junior Rangers, the Internship Program and the On tario/Quebec Summer Student Exchange. Exchange. Experience '89 is a career- oriented training program that gives young people from 15 to 24' years old the opportunity to learn a skill by working in a government agency. agency. Ministry of Natural Resources is a major participant in the program, receiving $3.2 million from the Ministry of Skills Development to provide 1,250 summer positions in ministry field offices and Conservation Conservation Authorities. Ministry of Natural Resource's long established Junior Ranger program program gives 17 year old high students ■ a chance to perform resource management tasks such as planting trees, creating canoe portage portage routes and cleaning beaches. This year, the ministry has spent $4.5 million employing 900 teenagers in 34 camps across the province. An additional 321 teenagers are in the Level II program, program, Which is designed to give those who do well on their year end appraisals another year to specialize in one area of interest. The Ontario Public Service Internship Internship program recruits recent university and college graduates to work in the Ontario Public Service. Internship is a two-year training initiative initiative that provides young people with on-the-job experience. This year, the Ministry of Natural Resources hired six interns to fill positions ranging from a bilingual deputy conservation officer to an environmental assessment biologist. The program is funded by the Human Resources Secretariat. The Ontario/Quebec Summer Student Exchange program, coordinated coordinated by the Human Resources Secretariat, gives students from Quebec an opportunity to practise English and experience Ontario's culture. Ministry of Natural Resources is employing 14 Quebec students this summer in resource- related positions under this program. program. Bill Bramah and his Ontario People who go with the flow of nature» know more than the rest of us. Most of us go tearing around in a tinsel world, frenetically searching for the golden fleece qf success and don't see the forest for the,trees. As the ancients would put it, we're like a man riding an ox looking for an ox. But every once in a while, you meet people who seem to work without working, who move with an easy rhythm, who seem to live effortlessly yet creatively. Some are born-with such a gift. Others, like the Pronk family who' farm near «Beaverton, had to learn it. For 27 years they operated in the usual modern way, using pesticides and chemical compounds to control their land and feed their livestock. But three years ago, they gambled. gambled. They switched over to organic farming! To neighbouring farmers, it looked looked like a foolhardy gamble. To hard-nosed, died-in-the-wool scientific scientific types, it sounded like, pie-in- the-sky nonsense. Others looked > upon the Pronks with a mixture of curiosity and scepticism. Nevertheless, the Pronks went into into action. They converted manure into compost and spread it on their 300 acr es ol land where I hex gioxx grain and hay. I hex ,°a\c dietin', ai free Iced n • ! heir ! "*0 lie id ■ *! Id. They started a new chemcial-free vegetable and herb garden. Agnes, the mother of the family, now makes bread, cheese, soup, muffins and yogurt all from the farm produce. produce. She and her husband Bert, along with their oldest son Murray, are partners in the enterprise. They're always on the move in a relaxed sort- of way. And they smile a lot. Bert, who came from Holland as a youth, still has a trace of an accent accent . "It's the best thing we ever did," said Bert. "We're saving on the cost of fertilizer, but even more important, important, we really enjoy farming now." "1 feel close to nature for the first time," added his son Murray. "It's an experiment that completely changed our lives." We walked out to their small orchard. orchard. Six inches of, compost were packed at the base. The trunks had been painted with lime, compost and clay. The trees looked healthy. So did the Pronks. They aren't alone in their new methods. There's been a dramatic increase in organic farming even in the past year. Currently, there are about 25,(XX) acres under organic cultivation in Ontario alone. Recently, the family held an open house. To their surprise, there were close to 4(H) visitors. Some of the fanners who arrived came back latet loi a second look. , , Parent education and family enrichment The Family Education Resource Centre of Durham House Child and Family Centre has their fall program program of parent education and family family enrichment study groups and workshops ready to go. The six week, eight week and ten week study groups being offered in Oshawa, Cannington, Port Perry, Bowmanville, and Whitby reflect the community's request for specific programs for parents with teens and basic parenting for young families. The workshops respond to specific requests from the community. community. Readers are invited to register for a six, eight or ten week study group or a workshop on a subject of particular particular interest to them. The choice is wide with something for everyone. Study Groups: Positive Parenting: A discussion group for parents focussing on understanding children's behaviour and learning positive and practical skills for redirecting misbehaviour and encouraging children. Living with Teens: This discussion group will focus on understanding the stages of adolescent development, development, how to discipline in a sensitive sensitive way, effective communication and how to encourage teens to ac- at with your children. Helping Youth Resist the Appeal of Drugs: This workshop for parents of preteens and teens will focus on developing an understanding of drugs and their effects, communicating communicating effectively with your child about drugs and drug use, and helping your child make responsible decisions. What To Do About Your Child's Misbehaviour: Why do children behave the way they , do? Why is raising children so different today than years ago. This workshop will look at: the importance of birth order in helping parents understand their children's behaviour goals. Step Family Living: An introduction introduction to r coping with the adjustment issues faced by both parents and children • in step .families. Facilitating co-ôperation within the family and effective problem solving. solving. ■ Parenting Especially for Single Mums: This workshop will focus on the advantages to be gained by being being part of a single parent family as well as introducing skills to deal with the problems of task and emotional emotional overload. Ideas to help your children through their possible feelings feelings of confusion, guilt and fear will Abbeyfield House for seniors to open A small group of citizens in Port Hope are preparing for the opening of the second Abbeyfield Abbeyfield House for seniors in all of Ontario. . The project started more than two years ago and is to open this fall. It will house five able- bodied seniors who can lead an independent life in a secure and friendly atmosphere. A house co-ordinator will shop for and prepare two meals a day for the group and as well do the house keeping. be discussed. Personal Safety For Your Children: "Everyone deserves an abuse free childhood". Learn what is child sexual abuse, to identify signals of abuse, what a child needs to hear in cases of disclosure and what prevention strategies we, as parents, can use. „ - Study Groups cost $32.00 for "eight sessions and $40.00 for ten sessions the workshops are $8.00 per person. For more information about any of the groups or workshops or to register please call "the Family Education Resource Centre at 579-2021 or 686-4353. cept responsibility. Leadership Training: This course is specifically designed to train group facilitators for our parent study groups. It comprises one component component of our "Parent Study Group Leader's Certificate." Building Your Child's Self Esteem: The fostering of self worth is a central central challenge for parents and adults working with children. Participants in this study group will gain an insight insight into the underlying factors of self esteem and discover a formula for building a positive self concept. Growing Up Divorced Children's Group: A leader facilitated group for children whose parents are divorced or separated. The focus will be to help children understand the process and meaning of divorce and to assist them in expressing and understanding their feelings while separating themselves from their parents' issues. The children will be encouraged to develop a sense of autonomy as they are relieved of the guilt feelings which they may have assumed. Babysitters' Training Course: Young teenagers will learn how to be responsible and caring sitters. Each student will be required to complete six hours of practical work during the course. Effective Parenting; A discussion group for" parents focussing on understanding children's behaviour • and learning positive and practical skills for redirecting misbehaviour and encouraging children. Workshops: Understanding Children's Misbehaviour: Gain an understanding understanding of children's misbehaviour and an introduction to skills for redirecting redirecting it. ; Issues of Adult Children of Alcoholics: This 'introductory workshop will focus on adult children of alcoholics issues and how these issues affect relationships with others at home and on the job. It will be of interest to those who grew up in a family that was affected affected by alcohol in one way or another, and also to those who wish to know more about adult'children of alcoholics issues. Creative Christmas: Enrich 'your family's Holiday Season. A workshop full of craft ideas to work One thing is sure. Where organic farming is concerned, nobody's lâughing anymore. 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